The Galant carries over into 2012 unchanged, with abundant rumors that it will take a bow after this model year. Many harsh things can be said of the Galant: It's outdated, cheaply made, underpowered and decidedly Spartan with many, many drawbacks over the competition, but its ride quality is exceptionally smooth, with soft seats and sharp steering for less than $25,000. These benefits alongside the promise of 21 mpg city/30 highway make the Galant an ideal commuter car, or teenage and winter beater, on a tight budget.

Another saving grace comes in the form of high marks on the new and more stringent safety tests, which left the Galant with a perfect score on all things except for driver safety in a frontal crash. Standard safety equipment includes the usual stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The upscale SE also offers a back-up camera by default, which is available for the baseline ES as an option if the dealer has it available. There are no factory-installed options for the Galant.

Rather, the ES comes equipped with full power accessories, air conditioning, a tilt-only steering wheel, cruise control and a 6-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. Notably, the SE adds alloy wheels, heated mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, power driver seat, heated front seats, Bluetooth, navigation, color LCD screen and a stereo upgrade with a 6-CD changer and satellite radio connectivity. Priced at just a few thousand more than the ES, the SE offers a decidedly better deal.

Now for the real downers. A 4-speed automatic is the only transmission available to control the whopping 160 horses put out by the 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder. Trunk space is a cramped 13 cubic feet, and the seats do not fold down - although there is a ski pass-through. Interior materials quality is cheap and gaudy, doing very little to deaden road noise or increase usability of the controls.

Drivers of unusual height should definitely test-drive this Galant before deciding - the lack of a telescoping steering wheel could make life very difficult for anyone much taller or shorter than average. Otherwise, drivers have no complaints, given the budget nature of the Galant. Sure, there are some things they wish they could have in their Galant, but current owners recognize the sacrifices that must be made to get so many features at such a small cost.